Natural Family Planning

Why should you drug your system or undergo surgeries and artificial implantations, when you have a natural option?Natural methods of family planning (NFP) do not interfere with a persons health in any way like other methods of family planning do. Other artificial family planning methods may have long-term effects on your fertility, while with natural family planning, such effects dont arise.The pill, for example, has certain benefits but along with the benefits, it also has side effects. In addition, if you forget to take the pill, the chances of pregnancy are higher.Condoms act as a barrier while making love, and tend to diminish pleasure. With natural family planning this does not arise. In this articleHow effective is it?Do I need to have a regular cycle?How can I tell when I am fertile?What advantages does this method of family planning have over others?How effective is it?This method of family planning is not 100% effective. In fact, the only methods of contraception that are 100% effective are:1. Total abstinence2. Removal of the ovaries3. CastrationVasectomy and tubal ligation have very low failure rates, and arealmost 100% effective, but not quite. 14 out of every 10,000vasectomies, 4 out of every 10,000 tubal ligations, result inpregnancies.Do I need to have a regular cycle?You need not necessarily have a regular cycle for thismethod to be effective, though if your cycle is completely skewed, youcould consider another method of birth control. But even if you are alittle irregular, you can tell when you are ovulating because of thedischarge of cervical mucus. So, you can avoid having sex during thistime. If you are regular with your period, natural family planning is 98% effective.How can I tell when I am fertile?As men are normally always fertile, this method of family planningdepends on when the woman is fertile, and having intercourse when thewoman is not fertile. So how can you tell when a woman is fertile? Awoman is fertile when she discharges cervical mucus. The mucus has aconsistency of raw egg-white. After ovulation, the mucus disappears.Other signs include a slight rise in a womans body temperature whenshe wakes up in the morning. This is best measured with a Basal Body Thermometer, as the rise is often just 0.5 degrees. She may also get a feeling called ovulation pain.What advantages does this method of family planning have over others?The natural method of family planninghelps build the foundation for a better marriage, because a certainamount of healthy abstinence is introduced in the relationship. It alsohelps develop self control. In addition, it is a method done anddiscussed together. Both partners keep a tab on the wifes menstrualcycle, and both are involved in this method of family planning.By keeping a tab of the wifes cycle, any irregularity can immediatelybe noticed, and the doctor can be alerted. However, if the cycle isbeing regulated by the pill, any health issues may go unnoticed.Before practicing natural family planningyourself, you should consult your gynaecologist for furtherinformation. Certain doctors are skeptical about the effectiveness ofthis method, as doctors tend to be of any natural methods. There are courses held throughout the world, which coach couples to practice natural family planningeffectively. It must be remembered that this method not the rhythmmethod of birth control, and is more scientific and effective. Email dmascarenhas@hotmail.com to join a class in Mumbai, Bandra.

Why should you drug your system or undergo surgeries and artificial implantations, when you have a natural option?Natural methods of family planning (NFP) do not interfere with a person's health in any way like other methods of family planning do. Other artificial family planning methods may have long-term effects on your fertility, while with natural family planning, such effects don't arise.The pill, for example, has certain benefits but along with the benefits, it also has side effects. In addition, if you forget to take the pill, the chances of pregnancy are higher.Condoms act as a barrier while making love, and tend to diminish pleasure. With natural family planning this does not arise.

How effective is it?

This method of family planning is not 100% effective. In fact, the only methods of contraception that are 100% effective are:1. Total abstinence2. Removal of the ovaries3. CastrationVasectomy and tubal ligation have very low failure rates, and arealmost 100% effective, but not quite. 14 out of every 10,000vasectomies, 4 out of every 10,000 tubal ligations, result inpregnancies.

Do I need to have a regular cycle?

You need not necessarily have a regular cycle for thismethod to be effective, though if your cycle is completely skewed, youcould consider another method of birth control. But even if you are alittle irregular, you can tell when you are ovulating because of thedischarge of cervical mucus. So, you can avoid having sex during thistime. If you are regular with your period, natural family planning is 98% effective.

How can I tell when I am fertile?

As men are normally always fertile, this method of family planningdepends on when the woman is fertile, and having intercourse when thewoman is not fertile. So how can you tell when a woman is fertile? Awoman is fertile when she discharges cervical mucus. The mucus has aconsistency of raw egg-white. After ovulation, the mucus disappears.Other signs include a slight rise in a woman's body temperature whenshe wakes up in the morning. This is best measured with a Basal Body Thermometer, as the rise is often just 0.5 degrees. She may also get a feeling called ovulation pain.

What advantages does this method of family planning have over others?

The natural method of family planninghelps build the foundation for a better marriage, because a certainamount of healthy abstinence is introduced in the relationship. It alsohelps develop self control. In addition, it is a method done anddiscussed together. Both partners keep a tab on the wife's menstrualcycle, and both are involved in this method of family planning.By keeping a tab of the wife's cycle, any irregularity can immediatelybe noticed, and the doctor can be alerted. However, if the cycle isbeing regulated by the pill, any health issues may go unnoticed.Before practicing natural family planningyourself, you should consult your gynaecologist for furtherinformation. Certain doctors are skeptical about the effectiveness ofthis method, as doctors tend to be of any natural methods. There are courses held throughout the world, which coach couples to practice natural family planningeffectively. It must be remembered that this method not the rhythmmethod of birth control, and is more scientific and effective. Email dmascarenhas@hotmail.com to join a class in Mumbai, Bandra.